« | Job 22 | » |
1 Then Eliphaz from Teman answered:
2 "Does God need our help? Even the wisest of us is not really useful to him.
3 Does your living right benefit him? Does God All-Powerful gain anything if you follow him?
4 Why does God blame and punish you? Is it because you worship him?
5 No, it is because you sin so much. You never stop sinning.
6 Maybe to guarantee loans you took things from people for no reason. Maybe you took a poor man's clothes to make sure he paid you back.
7 Maybe you failed to give water or food to people who were tired or hungry.
8 You have a lot of farmland, and people respect you.
9 But maybe you sent widows away without giving them anything. And maybe you took advantage of orphans.
10 That is why traps are all around you, and sudden trouble makes you afraid.
11 That is why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you.
12 "God lives in the highest part of heaven and looks down on the highest stars.
13 But you might say, 'What does God know? Can he see through the dark clouds to judge us?
14 Thick clouds hide us from his eyes, so he cannot see us as he walks around the edge of the sky.'
15 "Job, you are walking on the old path that evil people walked on long ago.
16 They were destroyed before it was their time to die. They were washed away by the flood.
17 They told God, 'Leave us alone!' and said, 'God All-Powerful cannot do anything to us!'
18 And it was God who filled their houses with good things. No, I would never follow the advice of evil people.
19 Those who do what is right are happy to see them destroyed. The innocent laugh at them and say,
20 'Surely our enemies are destroyed! Their wealth burned up in the fire!'
21 "Now, Job, give yourself to God and make peace with him. Do this, and you will get many good things.
22 Accept his teaching. Pay attention to what he says.
23 If you return to God All-Powerful, you will be restored. But remove the evil from your house.
24 Think of your gold as nothing but dirt. Think of your finest gold as rocks from a stream.
25 And let God All-Powerful be your gold. Let him be your pile of silver.
26 Then you will enjoy God All-Powerful, and you will look up to him.
27 When you pray, he will hear you. And you will be able to do all that you promised him.
28 If you decide to do something, it will be successful. And your future will be very bright!
29 When people are brought down and you ask God to help them, he will rescue those who have been humbled.
30 Even those who are guilty will be forgiven. They will be saved because you did what was right."
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.